Youtube detail: "Natasha Ria El-Scari reads her poem, "Pussy Letter to My Daughter" to a packed house at the Uptown Arts Bar in Kansas City Missouri. This performance was part of "Estrogen Rush," a showcase of women poets."

And while this vagina monologue might not be to everyone's liking, the words certainly speak to a great many powerful lady poets spreading their love in Kansas City.

48 Comments:

Richard Peter Phallus
said...

Just wait until I perform "Ode To My Stolen Foreskin", "Morningwood: It's Also A Hot Breakfast For Your Mate", and the ever-popular performance piece adapted from Frank Zappa's Joe's Garage album, "Why Does It Hurt When I Pee?".

This will be presented nationwide, via overlaying the satellite feeds during Dictator Barry Soetoro's Inaugural/Destruction of the Constitution/Preamble to the Enslavement of a once free people.

Just when you think KC has sunk to the lowest level possible, there appears such a low class, scuzzy and no talent THING such as this bitch. What is it KC, is there a contest to see who can be the most vile, tasteless and raunchy public display?? I think you may be close to a winner..

As a fellow poet from Kansas City I feel a strong need to let you know that what you see is what you get. We can't apologize for our work because we all have our own unique voice. This piece wasn't ranchy. It was real. It was about empowerment. Of course I wouldn't expect everyone to get it unless you can relate to it. And another thing...don't disrespect with the name calling. It's not called for.

Ever notice how women who talk about pussy all the time are those who ain't seen it in years with out grabbing their gut and trying to lift it out of the way in front of a mirror? Thats the same ones whose coochie no longer feels a mans tongue on it due to he can't get past the jaws of life trying to hold her thighs apart.

I would be interested in seeing these racist and sexist cowards come from behind their pretentious screens and attend an event like this. I am completely unmoved by the name calling and narrow aesthetic of those who commented here. I do not expect for my poetry to impact all people and I am positive that the people who commented so negatively about one person's expression is a poor little soul. Luckily for me, my art, worth, and self value isn't tied to idiots like this. Natasha Ria El-Scari

I love her. I think its brilliant. I admire her courage and creative freedom. She loves herself which is great feat for many woman and men in this world. As to the people above....get a life and stop hiding behind your computer screens. This poem said nothing racists or mean hearted yet you replied in that tone. Your hearts are dark, sick, and dirty. Ones art is whatever they want it to be. I believe in freedom of speech and expression. She does and you should as well. There are so many more life threatening issues going on in this world. Where is your energy for that? Where are your voices for those issues? Don't you realize the days to be racist are over. Theres people in positions that want us all dead. Have you raised your concern about the poison in the food supply? Have you raised your concern about the misuse of government spending? Have you said anything about the suppression of natural cures by big pharma? Leave this poet alone and use all that energy for something more productive.

I shure am worried now that the next time I'm shopping at Price Chopper I'll run into two of these aisle cloggers lumbering thru the store oblivious to the fact that because of their fat asses and 9 kids traffic has slowed to a crawl That 1 of their cooches is going to yell at me when I tell them to move. Talk about ruining your appetite.

As usual, what a fine piece of artistry! You continue to raise the consciousness and empower women everywhere, encouraging them to own and embrace their sexuality!

The white patriarchy (with its small, insignificant, limp penis) never ceases to squelch the voices of free women of color. So, regretfully, the comments above do not surprise me. That there remains a small sect of cowardice fools who spew vitriol and hate speech is unimpressive at best, not poignant. What is profound, however, is the fact that some of these Internet bullies above could be educators, physicians, and leaders in some facet; that is all at once unsettling.

All the more reason for artists like Natasha to share--unashamedly, unabashedly. Brava!

We are all entitled to our opinions; some of us may not like this poem, which is your right. But people who respond with racist comments or comments meant to attack the writer are ignorant. When I say "ignorant," I mean that in its denotation -- it's dictionary meaning... ignorant = without knowledge about a topic. Most of these negative comments do not actually critique the poem in any knowledgeable way with regard to its poetic craft. These comments don't say anything about the images or syntax or cadences or the reading of the poem...the very things that an intelligent person should use to discuss...a poem. Instead, many of these responses are simple-minded jerk-reactions and personal racist attacks. People fear what they don't know or can't seem to understand.This is a poem about embracing the female body and the power within it. Those who take the attention away from the poem and focus on racist ideas are ignorant of how to respond to something that is so different from what their minds can handle, so they respond in the most basest of ways. I feel sorry for those who decided to respond in such a way and pray that you learn something about the proper ways to critique art and, most importantly, recognize your own racism and insecurities.

I love this poem. This poem is an unapologetic and raw perspective of a mothers experience in childbirth.

I love this Poet. Of the Poets I have recently seen in the Kansas City area she is a breath of fresh air. She keeps my attention using what I find to be an authentic choice of words, and emotion to paint a fresh perspective on a mother’s experience.

In trying to understand most of the negative comments above I realized the 3rd grade sentence structures, and grammatical flaws tell me everything I need to know. Maybe we need more parental controls on our computers these day –especially when children like to comment on things they are not old enough to fully comprehend.

Comments like “lazy no talent” lack a clear articulation as to why this poem is lazy. In fact this poem is everything but lazy. This Poet creates a consistent timeline of her experience, uses compelling imagery, and her delivery is on point. At the very most all anyone can say is that then don’t like this poem, but lazy it is not. Those with the memory of a Goldfish probably did not get pass the word Pussy, and therefore I can understand why they lacked the ability to truly listen, and feel this poems message(s).

Despite the negative racial comments made on this site… It proves at the very least this Poet has done what a lot of artist cannot –Opened a space for discussion. Well Done!

Eavan Boland defined poety as: “…the ethical relation between imagination and the image. Images are not ornaments; they are truths.”

Now, on to my comments:Wow, what can one say about some of the uneducated rhetoric of these derogatory comments that have nothing to do with the poet herself nor the art of poetry. I am embarrassed for the ones who feel so threatened by the topic of pussy. Last I checked, pussy is the beginning of all of our existence. I am disgusted by the racial and sexist epitaphs of those close minded people who cannot distinguish between a beautiful empowering piece of art and filth.

To N. El-Scari,Sis, you are one of the few poets that goes beyond the boundaries of what standard poetry seems to be defined as in Kansas City. Your work and words are a daily inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing.

As creator of ESTROGEN RUSH! may I first start off by saying that everyone is entitled to their opinions. Art, once shared with the masses, is open to both praise and criticism. If people want to have a civil discussion about the content of this poem then that is fine. I am a true believer in dialogue. However, throwing daggers aimed at someone’s gender, ethnicity and physical appearance is vile and to be honest contradicts any argument you may have about how “crude” or “amoral” her poem is. To fight what you feel is disgusting language/material with your own disgusting language/material is....not very intelligent. When I put together this show, I chose 9 poets from various backgrounds with strong distinct voices. I wanted to celebrate our artistry and our solidarity as women. The poems performed that night touched on a variety of topics ranging from religion, motherhood, politics, self-discovery, family, music and yes – SEX. Women are sexual beings….with brains…and words to articulate those feelings and attitudes. To those who berate Natasha Ria El-Scari and women like her, I would suggest that you educate yourself on feminism and art. Art is NOT just something pretty that hangs on the wall of a museum, it is not just something pleasant you hear in a symphony hall, or an Elizabethan poet/playwright who writes sonnets of love. Sometimes art makes you uncomfortable, makes you fidget in your seat ….or it can cause a rage or spark a revolution. I appreciate Natasha Ria El-Scari for being her authentic self in everything she does and I will back her and all the women who performed that evening.

You respect this! It's funny how people can post distasteful things under anonymous names. If u did not like it, It's cool say so. But don't be an ass and call people out of their name! Feeling froggy because you can hide your sorry ass behind a computer. I'm done..

As a well known part of the music and arts community, I'm not even going to go into explaining how brilliant this young lady is because you're not going to be receptive to it regardless. This is just another blog in which you put up post about artists hoping that someone will log on and make ignorant comments for "entertainment sake". She is not the first of my colleagues to be disrespected on THIS blog. Truth be told its probably the blogger himself making the anonymous insulting, racist, ridiculous comments in order to see how many of her supporter will incite a riot. I'm pretty sure you did a little research on her to find out that she's just not some random nobody on the arts scene (otherwise you would not have wasted your time making a post dedicated to her). Your opinion though ignorant, is your opinion. MY opinion is that you should get a life.

I didn't even listen to her poem. Its just remedial to think that insulting someones apperance should come into play when you give an opinion about a piece. William Shakespare was an old guy white guy who wrote many poems and plays with sexual undertones. I am not comparing her to him i am saying no one was looking at him with desire but he wrote it and said it. Your comments speaks volumes about your thought process when it comes to forming a VALID opinion about something. If you didn't like the poem ok but the name calling and racial comments have nothing to do with the poem. As someone previously stated sex and art has been intertwined for generations. I am sure you wouldn't know that because you probably don't know anything about history. The liberation of women has always been tied to sex. I think its classless and distasteful that a city that houses a new expensive preforming arts center is full of people who cant respect an artist option to speak her mind. So sad.

Some of the comments on this article are SO revolting and embarrassing. The N word...really???? I can't even bring myself to type it. How is that word okay in any context? These people (ie...douche bags) are beyond shameful and disgusting...This woman rocks...she is honest and if she freaks some of you little 'delicate flowers' out, good for her!

Hey Tony, way to have an open forum for lowlifes to insult talented artists who are putting themselves out there and doing their own thing. Actually something purposeful that helps and entertains other people. But you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?

I TOTALL UNDERSTAND THAT 'TONY' WAS NOT MALICIOUS BY ANY MEANS...BUT THIS UNNECESSARY NAME CALLING BY YOU SORRY-HIDING-BEHIND-THE-COMPUTER-CARTOON-CHARACTERS ARE SOMETHING MADE BY DR. FRANKENSTEIN (clumsy at best & self-destroying)...WHAT ARE WE, IN 7th GRADE???...'GROWN' PEOPLE STOOPING MAKING YOURSELVES SO IMMATURE LIKE YOUR ONE OF THE DUDES IN THE LATEST CAPITAL ONE CREDIT CARD COMMERCIAL...AT LEAST ME MAN OR WOMAN ENOUGH TO USE YOUR REAL NAME YOU TYPING FRAUDS...IM ODELL D. TALLEY, APPROVING ALL OF WHAT I SAY...

I sent an email to this guy, Tony, and from his smarmy response talking about free speech and democracy and lame excuse for the ALL CAPS with exclamation points including the words "LADY PARTS" title of the post, I must say that I think Langston has a valid point in believing that Tony is the one behind the anonymous posts.

Langston did NOT say he thought Tony himself was behind the anonymous comments. Please don't fan the flames, generated by idiot bigots who can barely read or write, by throwing in more negativity that is false and attacking. Let the bigots stew in the fact that Natasha and her supporters are clearly more intelligent and educated than the can of beer they swiped from their mama's refrigerators. No one will ever fill a bar to hear what they have to say.

I find it SO ironic that the same ones who would post such ignorant and vile comments in the name of free speech are the SAME ones that are AFRAID to actually IDENTIFY themselves. What's the point in saying what you want to say if you're afraid to be who are? You obviously have a different definition of what "free" means or you're just a coward (ALEX, I'LL TAKE BOTH ANSWERS FOR $1000...)

The title description of this blog states that it contains opinions, jokes and stories - all things that typically bare little or no substance nor validity. It is NO wonder that this blog is a breeding ground for untruth and ignorance. The poetic resume of Natasha Ria El-Scari is EXTENSIVE, as is her tenure and she has received accolades from EVERYONE; from KC's most elite core of the arts community, as well as the general public. So, to say that she is trying to gain some form of relevance is not only inaccurate, but laughable. She is of the MOST IMPORTANT threads in KC's artistic tapestry. An UNKNOWN coward that attacks a WELL-ESTABLISHED artist - THAT sounds like a person needing relevance. Since this post (and the attacked poem) pertains to genitalia, let me state this in the context of the initial post, "Grow some BALLS, stop being anonymous, actually ATTEND an artistic/poetic venue and be amazed by the genius that is Natasha Ria El-Scari.

SO TO THE RETARDS WHO DECIDED TO TALK ABOUT SOMEBODY BUT CLEARLY DIDN'T READ ANYTHING ABOUT THE WRITER HIMSELF: Gender Male

Occupation Writer

Location Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Interests Kansas City, Movies, News, Porn, Snack Cakes.... CLEARLY HE SHOULD BE FAR FROM BEING OFFEND BY WHAT NATASHA WAS TAKIN BOUT IN HER POEM. LOOK AT HIS INTEREST... SO WHAT SHE HAS MORE WEIGHT ON HET BODY THAN THESE STICKING MY FINGER DOWN MY THROAT TRYIN TO LOOK CUTE BUT ABOUT TO PAST OUT CHICKS HAVE. BIG IS BEAUTIFUL... A REAL MAN'S THOUGHT - MEAT IS FOR MEN & BONE IS FOR DOGS. GET YOUR LIFE AND GROW THE HELLLLL UP. CLEARLY JUS CELEBRATING DR. KING BIRTHDAY MEANS ABSOLUTELY NOTHIN TO YOU COWARDS . TO ABLE TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF PEOPLE IS ENOUGH IN ITSELF BUT TO TRY TO SPEAK SOMETHIN EDUCATIONAL TO IGNORANT PEOPLE IS A WASTE OF TIME AND EFFORT BUT SOMEBODY HAS TO DO IT... BUT I LEARNED ABOUT THE 5 PERCENTILES IN SCHOOL... WITH THAT BEIN SAID YOUR WORD MEAN ABSOLUTELY NOTHIN... NATASHA KEEP DOIN YOU... AND KEEP YOUR GIFT GOIN REGARDLESS OF THE IGNORANT IMMATURE CLOSED MINDED UNINTELLIGIBLE NEED TO GET YALL MIND RIGHT BEFORE CHRIST COME SELFISH DIRTY RAT BASTARDS... IF A NUMBER 2 PENCIL WAS IN FROM OF THEM THEY WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO USE IT FOR, BUT THEY HIDE ANONYMOUSLY BEHIND THE FACT THEY DINT COMPREHEND NOTHIN SHE SPOKE ABOUT... NOW WHO'S DUMB... I THINK IN THE BIBLE THEY CALLED THEM FOOLS...

"She is not the first of my colleagues to be disrespected on THIS blog. Truth be told its probably the blogger himself making the anonymous insulting, racist, ridiculous comments in order to see how many of her supporter will incite a riot." - Langston.

Maybe you should make sure you read the post before you make a fool of yourself by claiming it didn't say what it did. Now, get down off your high horse and settle down.

It was Martin Luther King, Jr. who once said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." So, as tempted as I am to deliver a robust rebuke or name-calling tirade of the anonymous (read: cowardly) critiques of Natasha Ria El-Scari and her art, I will refrain. And that is by no means a rejoinder to those of you who may have done so. Frankly, a little part of me is glad that some of you were inclined to do so.

But let's be clear about one thing: the unwarranted sexist, misogynistic, racist, classist, patriarchal and privileged language initiated and used by those anonymous commenters only serves to reveal the weakness of their arguments, the callousness of their hearts, and the limitless boundaries of their stupidity.

If one is able to get past the juvenile impulse to jeer and snicker at the poem's title (which I find rather apt, quite honestly), she -- and more likely, HE -- would be able to absorb and appreciate its very empowering, transcendent and transparent message. Alas, that seems to be asking too much of what I assume must be the regular visitors/readers of this rather (spoiler alert: here comes the sarcasm) "august" blog which passes itself off as some sort of trite "man on the street" news source.

As opposed to allowing your hate to fill the room with darkness, I am instead turning on the light to share how I really feel about Natasha Ria El-Scari as a woman, a mother and a poet. I do so in the hopes that these words will serve as a sort of reset button offering a different perspective.

My thoughts on Natasha Ria El-Scari:

Unquestionably, Natasha Ria El-Scari is as much an alchemist as she is a poet. She creates poetry that is at once, and equally, classy and absorbing by expertly interweaving personal experience, ancient wisdom and common sense. Perhaps her greatest charm is that she never puts on airs--she never hides behind a persona or affectations, which gives her a sense of intimacy, transparency and authenticity that many of her contemporaries lack. There is a great deal of depth behind El-Scari’s poetry that makes it abundantly clear that she is immediately removed from the legion of cookie-cutter poets hitting the open-mic circuits of many local communities. Instead, El-Scari breaks the mold! Her sweet and laid-back presentation belies the delicate phrasing, occasional explicitness and mind-bending metaphors that have become her hallmark. To be sure, Natasha Ria El-Scari is all that and more.

Lastly, take note that artists (ANY artist) share their work with us not because they seek a critique but because they dare to express themselves for all to see, hear and appreciate. I, for one, am very thankful that nothing negative that has been said in this forum has the power to change that for Natasha Ria El-Scari. If anything, it only fortifies her determination and strengthens her resolve. ANd that is a good thing because the world needs her voice and those of us with ears to hear will greatly benefit from it.

Blogger.com Profile

Contact

Subscribe To

Disclaimer

If believe you are the owner of a photo posted on TKC please send me a message and I will gladly provide credit or remove the image. Also . . . If you have a problem with something I've written then send an e-mail and we can discuss it further.

Additionally . . .

Please refrain from reading this blog if you don't have a sense of humor and a good looking mother.